Oxygen radicals diminish dopamine transporter function in rat striatum

Incubation of striatal synaptosomes with the oxygen radical generating enzyme, xanthine oxidase, decreased [ 3 H ]dopamine uptake: an effect attributable to a decreased V max. Concurrent incubation with the superoxide radical scavenger, superoxide dismutase, abolished the xanthine oxidase-induced decrease. These results indicate that, like methamphetamine administration in vivo, reactive oxygen species diminish dopamine transporter function in vitro. The significance of these findings to mechanisms responsible for effects of methamphetamine is discussed.